The Meaning of Psalms 79:12 Explained

Psalms 79:12

KJV: And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

YLT: And turn Thou back to our neighbours, Sevenfold unto their bosom, their reproach, Wherewith they reproached Thee, O Lord.

Darby: And render unto our neighbours, sevenfold into their bosom, their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

ASV: And render unto our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom Their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And render  unto our neighbours  sevenfold  into their bosom  their reproach,  wherewith they have reproached  thee, O Lord. 

What does Psalms 79:12 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 79:1-13 - "help Us, O God Of Our Salvation"
It was the period of the Chaldean invasion. This cry of horror went forth from the heart of the Chosen People, who had looked upon the sacred shrine as inviolable. They could not believe that the tide of invasion could break in upon Jerusalem, or that the Holy City should be defiled by the profane feet of the heathen. This psalm should be compared with the book of Lamentations. We there find the same horror, the same anguish, the same sense of surprise, the same hatred of the foe, the same cry to God.
Does it seem as if God were angry with you? Have the heathen forced their way into the inner shrine and city of your heart? Are you brought very low and near unto death? Then begin to inquire whether some sin may not have alienated God from you. Confess it and put it away. Turn to God with a free and glad faith. Ask that His mercies may prevent (literally, "go before") and His help succor you, for His Name's sake. The sighing of the captive and the greatness of God power, Psalms 79:11, are in close affinity; and when you are delivered, remember your vows, and show forth His praise to all within your reach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 79

1  The psalmist complains of the desolation of Jerusalem
8  He prays for deliverance
13  and promises thankfulness

What do the individual words in Psalms 79:12 mean?

and return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom their reproach with which they have reproached You Lord
וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם אֶל־ חֵיקָ֑ם חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר חֵרְפ֣וּךָ אֲדֹנָֽי

וְהָ֘שֵׁ֤ב  and  return 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: שׁוּב  
Sense: to return, turn back.
לִשְׁכֵנֵ֣ינוּ  to  our  neighbors 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common plural
Root: שָׁכֵן  
Sense: inhabitant, neighbour.
שִׁ֭בְעָתַיִם  sevenfold 
Parse: Number, fd
Root: שִׁבְעָתַיִם  
Sense: sevenfold, seven times.
אֶל־  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
חֵיקָ֑ם  their  bosom 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: חֹוק 
Sense: bosom, hollow, bottom, midst.
חֶרְפָּ֘תָ֤ם  their  reproach 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: חֶרְפָּה  
Sense: reproach, scorn.
אֲשֶׁ֖ר  with  which 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
חֵרְפ֣וּךָ  they  have  reproached  You 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person common plural, second person masculine singular
Root: חָרַף 
Sense: to reproach, taunt, blaspheme, defy, jeopardise, rail, upbraid.
אֲדֹנָֽי  Lord 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲדֹנָי  
Sense: my lord, lord.